Integrative veterinary care
CHINESE HERBS FOR LIVER DISEASE Page 32
Health Check Aberrant behavior in dogs – is it
tech talk Focus on acupressure: This
Integrative practice Go team! Make the most of your
Nutrition Nook Natural supportive supplements
Horse sense The master link: A properly
WHAT’ S NEW • A look at the highlights from
really a case of hypothyroidism? Find out how to recognize and properly diagnose this condition.
FALL ISSUE 2011
www.IVCJournal.com
staff through education, experience, respect and responsibility.
functioning TMJ is crucial to a horse’s overall health and performance.
ancient Chinese healing modality can be very effective for certain health issues.
that can make a difference to your patient’s well being.
this year’s AHVMA conference • Feline cancer study • New Cardiac Education Group integrative veterinary care
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contents FEATURES
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Thyroid dysfunction & aberrant behavior
Why a complete thyroid antibody profile should be part of the clinical workup for any behavioral case.
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Integrative practice Go team!
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Make the most of your staff through education, experience, respect and responsibility.
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Learning curve
Continuing education in integrative medicine helps you consolidate your practice by offering more healing options to patients.
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Chemical contaminants in dogs & cats
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This extensive study by the Environmental Working Group shows how profoundly pets are affected by toxins.
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Tech talk Focus on acupressure
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This ancient Chinese healing modality can be very effective for some health issues.
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Where is the clinical evidence demonstrating that animal supplements are safe and effective? Here’s how the supplement industry is working with regulatory agencies to maintain vigilance.
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integrative veterinary care
Nutrition Nook Supportive supplements & fun foods
Healthful nutrients to help boost your patients’ well being.
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Chinese herbs for liver disease
How certain formulas can help manage liver disease in small animals, from biliary tract inflammation to chronic hepatitis.
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Profile Dr. Susan Wynn, DVM, CVA, CVCH, AHG
A veterinarian with a special interest in educating others about the benefits of integrative medicine.
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Green cleaning
Eco-friendly non-toxic cleaners and disinfectants that do the job while keeping patients, clients and staff safe and healthy.
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Evidence-based medicine for animal supplements – part 2
TMJ the master link
A properly functioning temporo-mandibular joint is crucial to a horse’s well being and performance.
Columns & departments
7 Advisory board 8 What’ s new? 29 Veterinary resource guide
Completing Your Approach to Pet Care As the benefits of integrative products are recognized, the need for pet-specific formulations increases. Resources™ is a line of natural supplements specifically developed to support the health and wellness of pets.
35 Spotlight 38 Industry Innovations 45 Marketplace 46 Events
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Thyroid dysfunction
Diagram courtesy of Jean Dodds, DVM
& aberrant behavior
by W. Jean Dodds, DVM
he last 15 years has seen thyroid dysfunction and disease increase at such an alarming rate that it has reached near epidemic proportions. This has been accompanied by a parallel increase in the incidence of heritable autoimmune thyroiditis in purebreds and the newer hybrid dog breeds. Hypothyroidism is the most common endocrine disorder found in canines, and up to 90% of cases result from autoimmune (lymphocytic) thyroiditis. Many veterinarians are unaware of how to properly test and diagnose their patients in order to identify the early stages of this disease process, prior to the development of classical clinical signs. Since the thyroid gland regulates metabolism of all bodily cellular functions, reduced thyroid function can produce a wide range of clinical manifestations, which mimic those of other conditions. Most pet owners and even many dog breeders do not know how to spot the clinical or behavioral signs of early canine thyroid disease. This confusion sets up a “perfect storm� of misunderstanding, misdiagnosis and mistreatment of canine thyroid disorders.
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integrative veterinary care
Diagram above shows location of parathyroid glands.
The heritable nature of thyroiditis poses significant implications for breeding stock, so accurate diagnosis is important for genetic counselling and provides the clinical options for prompt intervention and case management.
Behavioral issues The principal reason for pet euthanasia stems not from disease, but undesirable behavior. While abnormal behavior can have a variety of medical causes, it also can reflect underlying problems of a psychological nature. An association between behavioral and psychological changes and thyroid dysfunction has been recognized in humans since the 19th century. In a recent study, 66% of children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were found to be hypothyroid, and supplementing with thyroxine was largely curative. Furthermore, an association has recently been established between aberrant behavior and thyroid dysfunction in the dog, and has also been noticed in cats with hyperthyroidism. Typical clinical signs include unprovoked aggression towards other animals
Many of these dogs belong to a certain group of breeds or families susceptible to a variety of immune problems and allergies – e.g. golden retriever, Akita, Rottweiler, Doberman pinscher, English springer spaniel, Shetland sheepdog, and German shepherd. and/or people, sudden onset of seizure disorder in adulthood, disorientation, moodiness, erratic temperament, periods of hyperactivity, hypoattentiveness, depression, fearfulness and phobias, anxiety, submissiveness, passivity, compulsiveness and irritability. After episodes, most animals appear to come out of a trance-like state and are unaware of their bizarre behavior.
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The mechanism whereby diminished thyroid function affects behavior is unclear. Hypothyroid patients have reduced cortisol clearance, as well as suppressed TSH output and lowered production of thyroid hormones. Constantly elevated levels of circulating cortisol mimic the condition of an animal in a constant state of stress. In people, and seemingly in dogs, mental function is impaired and the animal is likely to respond to stress in a stereotypical rather than reasoned fashion.
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Investigators in recent years have noted the sudden onset of behavioral changes in dogs around the time of puberty or as young adults. Many of these dogs belong to a certain group of breeds or families susceptible to a variety of immune problems and allergies — e.g. golden retriever, Akita, Rottweiler, Doberman pinscher, English springer spaniel, Shetland sheepdog, and German shepherd. The clinical signs in these animals, before they show the sudden onset of behavioral aggression, can include minor problems such as inattentiveness, fearfulness, seasonal allergies, skin and coat disorders and intense itching. These may be early subtle signs of thyroid dysfunction, with no other typical signs of thyroid disease being manifested. The typical history starts out with a well-mannered and sweetnatured puppy or young adult dog. The animal is outgoing, attends training classes for obedience, working or dog show events, and came from a reputable breeder whose kennel has no prior history of producing animals with behavioral problems. At the onset of puberty or thereafter, however, sudden changes in personality are observed. Typical signs can be incessant whining, nervousness, schizoid behavior, fear in the presence of strangers, hyperventilating and undue integrative veterinary care
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